Bioelectric aspects of the hemipteran telotrophic ovariole (Dysdercus intermedius)

Two systems of steady extra-cellular currents were found along the surface of the telotrophicDysdercus ovarioles by means of a vibrating probe. The first covers the subgerminal tropharium and all the previtellogenic follicles. The current leaves the 3 or 4 small follicles of early euplasmic growth stages laterally and enters the syncytial tropharium. We presume that a similar intracellular current flows between the trophoplasm and the ooplasm which are interconnected by narrow nurse strands. Preliminary intracellular measurements indicate a potential gradient within this continuous cytoplasm, the ooplasm being electropositive to that of the tropharium. This current system fits into a model of polarized intracytoplasmic transport by electrophoresis. It is possible to explain the well known directed and selective flow of RNA from the tropharium via the nurse strands into the oocytes by means of such a model. The second current system occurs around every one of the 2 to 8 vitellogenic follicles. The pattern is completely different from that described for the first system. In the vitellogenic stages the current enters the follicle laterally all along the now much extended surface. It is balanced by a strong peak current which leaves the interfollicular region. As data on intracellular currents are not yet avialable, it is only a matter of speculation whether the circuit is closed through the ooplasm or only by a tangential loop through the follicle epithelium. The possible significance of this second current system for vitellogenin accumulation and uptake by the vitellogenic oocytes is also uncertain as yet.